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16—30299-1 GPO 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 

MERRIMACK HUMANE SOCIETY, 

AT THEIR 

ANNIVERSARY MEETING, 

SEPTEMBER 1, 1812. 



BY JOHN ANDREWS, A. M. 

»» 

MINISTER OF THE FIRST CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 
IN NEWBURYPORT. 




** To do, possessed vaith virtue's noblest fire 9 ' 

u Such generous deeds as we with tears admire, 

" Deeds that, above ambition's vulgar aim, 

" Secure an amiable, a solid fame ,— 

11 These are such joys as He av* ns first fav* rites leize ; 

" These please you noiv, andviill forever please." 

ARMSTRONG. 



NEWBURYPORT : 

*ROM THE PRESS OF E. W. ALLEN, 

1812, 



HV&70 

Ms m*. 



TO THE 






PRESIDENT, 

VICE-PRESIDENT, 

TRUSTEES 



AND 



MEMBERS 



OF THE 



Merrimack Humane Society 



THIS DISCOURSE 



iS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 



BY 



THE AUTHOR. 



At a meeting of the Trustees of the Merrimack Humane 
Society, September 1, 1812. 

Voted, That Micajah Sawyer, William Bartlet, and the Hon. 
Daniel A, White, Esqr's. be a committee to wait on the Rev. John 
Andrews, and thank him for the excellent Discourse which he 
delivered before the Society, at their Anniversary meeting this 
day, and request a copy for the press. 

Attest, W. WOART, Recording SeSy. 



A DISCOURSE, &c. 



JOHN xi, 32. 

THEN WHEN MARY WAS COME WHERE JESUS WAS, AND SAW 
HIM, SHE FELL DOWN AT HIS FEET, SAYING UNTO HIM LoRD IF 
THOU HADST BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER HAD NOT DIED. 

IT is impossible for any one, who is not a 
stranger to those pious and benevolent feelings, 
which are so honorary to our nature, and which 
religious considerations tend to create, strength- 
en and establish, to contemplate unmoved, the 
interesting event which is recorded in this chap- 
ter. It is an event which must be familiar to all 
who accustom themselves to read the gospel of 
Jesus Christ, and a source of consolation to those, 
who have imbibed its heavenly spirit, and who 
make it their daily care to regulate their lives by 
its sacred precepts. 

The sensations of Lazarus, his beloved sis- 
ters and his pious friends, when at the command 
of Jesus, the stone was rolled from the grave, 
where he had lain four days, and he now came 
forth restored to life and all the endearing inter- 
course of society and friendship, can be much 
easier felt than described. 



6 

It was not only a firm persuasion of his pow- 
er to effect the most miraculous cures, but a 
knowledge of that divine humanity, which they 
had discovered, as constituting so beautiful a 
trait in his character, which led the sisters of 
Lazarus to express themselves as they did in 
their interview with the Saviour, previous to the 
resurrection of their affectionate brother. 

Not confining myself therefore to the affecting 
scene, portrayed in this Chapter, I shall endea- 
vor at this time, to call your attention to some of 
those humane and benevolent actions, which our 
Saviour performed, while He dwelt upon earth? 
and consider in what manner, it becomes us to 
improve them. 

I shall then make some observations and re- 
flections more particularly appropriate to the 
design of this anniversary solemnity. 

The sacred historians have recorded various 
Instances, wherein our Saviour exercised his be- 
nevolent and miraculous power, in removing that 
pain, infirmity and disease, to which in this earth- 
ly state, the human frame is continually liable. 

They make mention of his healing a fever, 
with which a near connexion of Peter was visit- 
ed, raising a servant of a Roman Centurion from 
the brink of the grave, curing persons infected 
with the leprosy, giving relief to an infirm man 
at the pool of Bethesda, restoring sight to the 



blind, soundness to a withered limb, causing the 
dumb to speak, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, 
calming the tempestuous sea, and providing in 
a miraculous manner for the comfortable refresh- 
ment of many thousands who followed him. 

We cannot, my friends, like our benevolent Sa- 
viour, perform such benificent miracles ; but if we 
would approve ourselves his disciples, we may do 
much towards mitigating the pains which the af- 
flicted feel, and giving consolation to the troubled 
mind. We may watch them in the hours of weak, 
ness and distress, help them to those seasonable 
remedies., which the experienced and faithful pro- 
fessor of the healing art shall from time to time di- 
rect, and sooth their anguish by our kind atten- 
tions — and when all human efforts prove ineffec- 
tual and the cold hand of death is evidently press- 
ing upon them, we may point them to those glo. 
rious recompenses,' which the truly penitent and 
the sincerely good, shall certainly enjoy, when 
removed from the snares and sorrows of the pres- 
ent state. 

We may imitate our Saviour, by feeding the 
hungry and clothing the naked, by visiting the 
unfortunate prisoner, treating with generous hos- 
pitality the friendless stranger and sending the 
Life Boat to rescue our friends, returning home 
to us, after a long voyage, exposed to threatning 
billows and the impending storm. Such deeds 



8 

of humanity will be acceptable in the sight of 
heaven and will not loose their reward. 

In the gospel of Jesus, we are also led to con- 
template those astonishing acts of benevolence 
which he performed, when he raised the dead to 
life. — How interesting must have been the in- 
terview between Him and the Ruler of the Jew* 
ish synagogue, who when he saw our Saviour, 
fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, 
my little daughter lieth at the point of death, I 
pray thee come and lay thy hands on her, that 
she may be healed and she shall live ! On his 
way home, accompanied by Him who went about 
doing good, he was met by those who informed 
him that his daughter was dead. But the bene- 
volent Jesus addressed the afflicted Father in this 
comforting language. " Be not afraid, only be- 
lieve" And when he had arrived at the house, 
in presence of the Parents and three of his disci- 
ples, He took the beloved daughter by the hand 
and said unto her " arise" And she arose and 
walked for she was twelve years of age. — You 
who are parents can form some idea of the ex- 
quisite feelings, which this affecting scene of di- 
vine humanity must have occasioned. 

Who is there but must admire that tenderness 
and compassion which our Saviour displayed, as 
he was entering the city of Nain ? "Now when 
He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold there 



9 

was a dead man carried out, the only son of his 
mother, and she was a widow. And when our 
Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, aiid 
said unto her, weep not. And He came and 
touched the bier, and they that bare him stood 
still, and He said young man, I say unto thee, a- 
rise ! — And he that was dead sat up, and began 
to speak. And He delivered him to his mo- 
ther." 

What gratitude must have filled the soul of 
the fond mother toward her glorious benefactor, 
when she saw her only son, the dear image of 
the friend, whom she had before followed to the 
grave, now restored to her, to reward her, by ev- 
ery mark of filial love, for all her maternal care, 
to support her in her declining years, and when 
she herself should be laid in her grave, to water 
it with the tears of affection ! 

We cannot, it is true, imitate our Saviour, in 
raising the dead to life, giving back to their 
•friends, in all the smiles and joys of blooming 
health, those on whom putrefaction has begun its 
ravages \ but by the judicious application of those 
means, which Humane Institutions have appro- 
ved and directed, many who must otherwise have 
been lost to their friends, to society and their 
country, maybe preserved.- — They may be made 
useful in the present life and live to become qual- 
ified for the happiness of a life which shall never 
end.— A considerable number in our own coun- 



to 

try and thousands in the old world, rescued by 
these means from apparent death, are now living 
gratefully to attest the truth of this observation.* 
We cannot, indeed, stop the funeral proces- 
sion, and say to the lifeless corpse, 

" Silent slumbering on the sable bier," 

on its way to the house appointed for all the liv- 
ing, " arise,"- — Nor can we, when in our serious 
walks, we visit the gloomy receptacle of mortal- 
ity, say to the much loved friend, deposited there 
" come forth." — But we may go to the house of 
mourning, when suitable occasions present for 
doing it, and give some consolation to our afflict- 
ed friends. We may remind them of the 
promises of the gospel and all those divine sup- 
ports, which religion will not fail to yield to those 
who repair for comfort to that heavenly fountain. 
While we see our friends weeping over the 
graves of the fond objects of their affection, we 
may say to them, thy bosom companion, thy be- 
loved child, thy indulgent parent, thy kind broth- 
er, thy affectionate sister, " shall rise again" 
" Be not afraid, only believe." Although remo- 
ved from this scene of trial, He who is enthron- 

* The last annual report of the British Humane Society, found- 
ed in 1774, announces that since the date of their institution, out of 
upwards of 7000 cases of suspended animation, which have come 
under their notice, they have been successful in rtsioiing to health 
from apparent death or imminent danger more than half that num- 
ber.— See Colman's Discourse before the Humane Society of Mas- 
sachusetts June 9th, IS 12. 



11 

ed in goodness, has extended the sceptre of mer- 
cy to the approaching spirit. This troubled state 
has been exchanged for a residence in that bright 
world, where exists happiness unfading and eter- 
nal. 

If we live while here in the faithful discharge 
of every personal, social and relative duty, if we 
are pious towards God and just and charitable 
towards man, keeping our hearts with all dili- 
gence, knowing that from thence are the issues 
of life, we shall meet our virtuous friends again 
in that pure and exalted state of felicity whither 
they are now gone. — 

" There thy bright train, immortal friendship, soar, 

" No more to part, to mingle tears no more ! 

61 And as the softening hand of time endears 

u The joys and sorrows of cur infant years ; 

" So there the soul released from human strife, 

" Smiles at the little cares and ills of life ; 

" Its lights and shades, its sunshine and its show'rs, 

u . As at a dream that charm'd her vacant hours."* 

By such well-timed christian offices, we may 
resemble those good angels who are sent forth to 
" minister unto them who shall be heirs of sal- 
vation." — We may improve all our virtues and 
all our graces, and be constantly preparing our- 
selves for a participation in those pure and re- 
fined pleasures, which the spirits of the just now 

see in all their beauty, and taste in all their per- 
fection. 

* See a poem on the pleasures of memory, by Rogers. 



12 

Another occasion wherein our Saviour man- 
ifested his humane and benevolent feelings was 
his behaviour towards his mother, just before He 
left the world. Now there stood near the cross 
of Jesus his mother and other friends. — " Then 
Jesus observing his mother and the disciple 
whom He loved standing by, said to his mother, 
Woman behold thy son. *Then said He to the 
disciple, behold thy mother. And from that hour 
that disciple took her to his own home." 

If we would wisely improve this example, let 
us, when we know the time of our departure from 
this earthly state is approaching* make every pro- 
vision in our power for the comfort and happi- 
ness of all with whom we are connected. Let 
us tenderly recommend them to those kindred 
souls whose love and affection for us will lead 
them to extend their love and kindness to those 
whom we shall leave behind us. 

Are we about to be separated, by death, from 
children, who will become orphans, in the wide 
world, true benevolence will lead us to seek some 
faithful friend, in whose prudence and fidelity, 
we can unreservedly confide, to guide their un- 
experienced steps, and bring them back to virtue, 
when they have deviated from her safe and hon- 
orable paths. Without this wise precaution, 
their way through life, may be strewed with 
thorns, and however great the profusion of wealth 



j.o 

which they inherit, it may only tend to plunge 
them deeper in the gulph of misery. 

Indulge me with mentioning but one more in- 
stance of that godlike humanity which w r as so 
characteristic of the benevolent Saviour of men, 
an instance which we might suppose would have 
been sufficient to melt the most obdurate heart, 
and which angelic beings must have beheld with 
sublime admiration; — You will readily imagine 
that I refer to that devout supplication, which he 
made for his inhuman murderers, while he hung 
expiring on the cross, " Father forgive them 
for they know not what they do." 

Can we think, my christian friends, of the lan- 
guage which then fell from the lips of the Son 
of God, and imagine ourselves excusable and our 
condition safe, while we harbor an unforgiving 
and an unrelenting temper ? — Let your own con- 
sciences and the unerring pages of inspired truth 
dictate the reply. 

I shall now make some observations and re- 
flections, more particularly appropriate to the de- - 
sign of this anniversary solemnity. 

The happy influence of humane institutions is 
most sensibly felt, and very generally acknowl- 
edged. " That nation," to use the words of the 
beloved chief magistrate of Massachusetts, " from 
whence we are descended, and which for many 
generations has been the bulwark of the religion 
we profess," has long been celebrated for its 



14 

many pious and charitable associations ; and the 
names and virtues of their illustrious patrons, 
will be transmitted to the latest posterity with the 
most distinguishing honor, while those modern 
heroes, who wade to conquest through seas of 
Iiuman blood, shall be consigned to everlasting 
ignominy. 

Nor has our own country been backward in 
these works of piety and charity : many parts of 
America have exhibited efforts truly noble, and 
%ese efforts have been blesse^ by Heaven. 

Did not delicacy forbid, I could name a man, a 
member of this Humane Society, who is not only 
ready liberally to contribute to every useful public 
charity, but whose many deeds of private benev- 
olence, I humbly trust, are registered in heaven. 
He is a man who suffers no day to pass over 
him, without enjoying the divine satisfaction of 
doing good, feeding the hungry and clothing the 
naked, causing the blessing of them who are 
ready to perish to come upon him, and the wid- 
ow's heart to sing for joy. When the ear hears 
Mm it blesses him, when the eye sees him it gives 
witness to him, because he delivered the poor that 
cried, the fatherless, and him that had none to 
help him. 

Cf - Oft lias his band unask'd relief bestow'cl, 
w Gently reforest the orphan's bitter sigh, 
" And wip'd away, in grief -s recluse abode, 

ci The tear from Sorrow's everchrystal eye." ] 



is 

In the solemn and pathetic strains which have 
fallen from the lips of venerable age ; in the for- 
cible reasonings of ripened manhood, and in all 
the glowing eloquence of youth, on occasions 
similar to the present} the cause of this Humane 
Institution has been advocated, and seasonable 
appeals have been made to those benevolent feel- 
ings, which are the prolific source of so many 
blessings. — The cause has not been advocated m 
vain, nor have the appeals been fruitless. 

This society is respectable for its numbers and 
the high reputation of many of its members. Its 
funds are now considerable and its means of do- 
ing good are in-creasing with each revolving year^ 

Little more than eight years have elapsed since 
we received our act of incorporation. Since that 
period about 156 Dollars have been distributed to 
various individuals for their benevolent exertions 
in rescuing their fellow-creatures from an untimely 
grave. Honorary medals, estimated in value at 
nearly 100 dollars, have also been given for the 
like deeds of humanity.— Various Huts have 
been erected in convenient situations to shelter 
from the cold and storm the distressed and 
ship-wrecked mariner. — May a merciful God 
touch with keen remorse, and bring to sincere 
repentance the unfeeling wretches, who have at 
any time dared to violate these places of refuge, 
and with sacrilegious hands despoil them of any 
of their accommodations ! 



16 
Several well constructed boats have likewise 
been provided, to give relief to vessels, in dan- 
ger on approaching our shores ; when, without 
such seasonable and friendly aid, many of our 
worthy seafaring brethren, with all their hard 
earnings, and the fond hopes and expectations oT 
their dearest friends, waiting with trembling anx- 
iety their return, would probably be buried in 
the mighty deep. 

The various opportunities, which, in the 
course of providence, have occurred, for grate- 
fully acknowledging, and in some measure re- 
warding the benevolent exertions of those enter- 
prising men who have generously hazarded their 
own lives, to preserve the lives of others, when 
in imminent danger, will soon be made public by 
the particular direction of the board of Trustees.* 
The peculiar circumstances attending one of 
the instances to which we refer, one of a re- 
cent nature, authorise me to hope for your kind 
indulgence, while I dwell for a few moments on 
the pleasing, but affecting subject. 

Behold then a venerable member of this Soci- 
ety, whose life a kind and gracious Being has 
lengthened out for several years beyond the com- 
mon lot of mortals, a man endeared to his friends 
by the exercise of many virtues, whom religion 
acknowledges as a humble and sincere votary, 

* See the Appendix to this Discourse. 



17 

and humanity claims as a favorite son — Behold 
this good man, nobly venturing his own valuable 
life, to rescue a young person, sinking into a wa- 
tery grave ! When no other human eye could 
see the danger, no other kind hand was near to 
give the needful aid, prompted by the best of feel- 
ings, and regardless of all personal danger, he 
plunged into the sea for his relief. Heaven smil- 
ed upon the virtuous effort, and crowned it with 
desired success. 

Imagine to yourselves the feelings of the boy, 
who by this seasonable interposition, was pre- 
served from an early death. What must have 
been his sensations, when he beheld the benign 
and complacent countenance of his kind benefac- 
tor, who had conducted him to a place of safe- 
ty and restored him to his friends, to a capacity 
of being useful in the present life and of prepar- 
ing for the happiness of that life which is eternal! 
What were his feelings in that interesting mo- 
ment, we may in some measure learn from his 
own words, as given us by the Committee who 
reported the transaction. Looking up, with tears 
of gratitude to his humane deliver, he exclaimed, 
" O Sir ! you have saved my life i"* 

What refined and elevated satisfaction must 
have glowed in the breast of our worthy friend, 
whose benevolent disposition excited him to per- 
form a deed like this ; — a deed which redounds 

* See the appendix to this Discourse. 
c 



18 

to the praise of this Humane Institution, of which 
he was several years Vice-President, of which he 
has ever been, and still is, a most useful and active 
member. It is a deed which we know must yield 
him pleasure, during the remainder of his pil- 
grimage in this scene of trial, brighten his pros- 
pects, when all earthly objects are receding from 
his view, and reflect honor on his memory, when 
he shall be numbered with the dead. It is a . 
deed which will heighten his felicity in that 
world of glory, where He who was the Divine 
Friend of humanity, while he abode on earth, 
now dwells, and where he will not fail to reward 
it with peculiar marks of approbation. 

That Being, who sees the heart, and from 
whose penetrating eye no disguise can possibly 
conceal, will bear me witness that what has been 
said., and what I have yet to say on this interest- 
ing subject is not the language of servile flattery 
or base adulation ■ but I could not do justice to 
my own feelings, and I trust to the feelings, of 
this society, had I omitted this opportunity pub- 
licly to express them. 

I would be far, very far from intimating that 
the character, to whom the foregoing observa- 
tions apply, would have been backward or reluc- 
tant to perform the heroic action, which has call- 
ed forth our gratitude and praise, had the Mer- 
rimack Humane Society never existed.— I am 
firmly persuaded that he was actuated by the 
highest and the best of motives, the happiness of 



19 

his fellow-creatures, the approbation of his own 
conscience, and above all the approbation of his 
Maker. But at the same time, 1 must say that it 
affords me the most unfeigned pleasure, that we 
are able to give some mark of our regard, some 
testimony of our respect, for such exalted merit ; 
and by this means perhaps excite others, whenev- 
er Providence shall direct the way, to " go and 
do likewise." 

Let us, my brethren, imitate, not only our vir- 
tuous liviiig friends, but also the examples of all 
those great and good men, now resting from their 
labors, who were, while on earth, the constant 
friends and patrons of humanity. 

How many of our original companions and 
associates in the good work, in which we are now 
engaged, have been removed from us, to be em- 
ployed, we trust, in higher and nobler duties ! 1 
shall only remind you of two of them, my Fa- 
thers and my brothers in the sacred office, the 
truly venerable Bass,* and the beloved and re- 
spected Cary,f men and ministers of Jesus, on 
whose amiable and excellent characters fond 
memory loves to dwell. 

" Their worth still lives ; that living worth regard) 
" And with like virtues, seek the like reward." 

* Late Bishop of Massachusetts and Rhode-Island and one of the 
Trustees of the Society. He died Sept. 10th, 1803 --J&U 77. 

t Late Senior Pastor of the first Religious Society in Newbury- 
port, and one of the Trustees of the Merrimack Humane Society.-- 
He died Nov. 24, 1808— Mx. 64. 



20 

While we acknowledge the merits, and cele- 
brate the virtues of those who have spared no 
exertions, no sacrifices to preserve the lives of 
others, who must otherwise have been suddenly 
torn from their families and friends "; shall we 
not acknowledge the merits, and celebrate the 
virtues of that Great Deliverer, who came to seek 
and to save them that were lost ? who has given 
us the best instructions to guide us in all our va- 
rious duties, set before us an example, infinitely 
more pure, than the world had ever seen, and fa- 
vored us with precepts infinitely more perfect, 
than the wisest sages of antiquity had ever 
taught. 

This Heavenly Deliverer came to raise those 
who were dead in trespasses and sins to newness 
of life, and inspire them with holiness of living, 
to die the just for the unjust, that He might 
bring us unto God and all the nameless felici- 
ties of that divine inheritance, which is prepared 
for his faithful followers, when they who are now 
sleeping in the dust of the earth shall be raised ; 
when the sea shall give up the dead that are In 
it ; when small and great shall stand before the 
judgment seat, and the books shall be opened, 
and they shall be judged every man according to 
their works. 

To the awful concerns of that Great. Day we 
ought, all of us, to extend our thoughts and our 
reflections, much oftener than we now do. We 



ft 

ought to bear it upon our hearts, that if there is 
any truth in the words of Him who spake as nev- 
er man spake, our real characters, now not un- 
frequently concealed from the world, will then 
be fully known. The motives and the principles 
which have influenced our thoughts, our conver- 
sation and our conduct, will be- all disclosed. 
The veil will be torn aside that now covers the 
countenance of vile hypocrisy. The smooth 
speech and hollow profession will no longer an- 
swer our wicked and selfish purposes. And 
then humble innocence, modest worth and in- 
flexible virtue, though now often depressed and 
forced into obscurity, by empty vanity, by shame- 
ful falsehood and base intrigue, will certainly ap- 
pear in all those rich and glowing colours, which 
shall eclipse yon luminary of heaven in hie me- 
ridian brightness. 

" Doubt we of this ! what solid truth remains, 

" That o'er the world a wise disposer reigns ? 

" Whilst all creation speaks a pew'r divine, 

" Is it deficient in the main design ? — 

" Not so : the day shall come (pretend not now 

" Presumptuous to inquire or when, or how) 

u But after death shall come th' important day, 

" When God to all his justice shall display ; 

" Each action with impartial eyes regard, 

" And in a just proportion punish and reward."* 

Seiious meditations upon this most important 
subject, to which the word and providences of 

*See a poem on the immortality of the soul, translated from the 
Latin of Isaac Hawkins Browne, by Soame Jenyns. 



22 

God so loudly call fis, are by no means unfriend- 
ly to the great interests of humanity, or to any 
of those enjoyments which as rational beings. we 
can possibly desire. On the other hand, they 
will tend to increase and establish oar pious feel- 
ings, to enlarge our charitable propensities, to reg- 
ulate our appetites and passions, and make us suc- 
cessful candidates for wreaths of unfading glory. 

Frequently, my friends, are we invited to ex- 
ercise our charitable feelings, and to extend our 
charitable hands for advancing the great interests 
of piety and humanity. If we meet these invita- 
tions according to our several abilities, our Heav- 
enly Father will regard us with the smiles of his 
favor. He will accept us according to what we 
have and not according to what we have not. 

The institution whose anniversary we this day 
celebrate, has certainly claims upon your atten- 
tion.— Many, we are sensible, are the embarrass- 
ments which you now feel. The sound of the 
trumpet and the noise of war disturb your repose. 
You anticipate the melancholy intelligence, that 
some with whom you are connected have been 
called to sacrifice their lives in the high places of 
the field, leaving behind them those, who will 
demand your sympathy and your assistance. 
Yet something, w r e would fain hope, may be bes- 
towed to increase the funds of this society. And 
be assured, that whatever your circumstances or 
situations in life may authorise you to give, will 



SfJf 

be gratefully received and religiously appropriat- 
ed for the purposes expressed in our act of in- 
corporation ; " for the recovery of persons, who 
meet with such accidents, as produce in them 
the appearance of death ; and for promoting the 
cause of humanity by pursuing such means from 
time to time, as shall have for their object the 
preservation of human life and the alleviation* of 
its miseries." 

Iri the pertinent and beautiful language of a 
friend and brother,* a man deservedly beloved 
in life and sincerely lamented in death, I shall 
close this discourse. 

" In the various ways of doing good, we have 
every encouragement which reason can require. 
The pleasures attending such a course of action 
I hope many, whom I now address, know by ex- 
perience. If they know them, I need not attempt 
the description. If ignorant of those pleasures, 
I should despair of doing justice to the subject. 
I can only say that they are a delightful earnest 
of that bliss, which will reward the beneficent 
in a better world." 

" The time is coming, when we must all be 
numbered with the dead. This curious frame will 
be dissolved,notwithstanding the wisest measures 
which philosophy can employ, to strengthen and 
sustain it. But we have no reason to tremble 



* The late Doctor John Clarke, minister of the first Church ia 
Boston. He died April 2, 1798, J£t. 43. 



24 

at the prospect. Death is not destruction. He 
who made us can recover us from the power of 
the grave, and cause us to exist forever in a state 
of inconceivable perfection. Human art may 
fail ; and our most judicious attempts to rescue 
a friend from death, may be unsuccessful. — But 
what can baffle the power, of God ; He can, and 
He assuredly will, rouse us from the slumbers of 
the grave, and give us a most glorious triumph, 
over the last enemy. — The Divine Author of 
our religion died, rose again, and now liveth for- 
ever. And if we imitate his beneficence, we shall 
partake of his blessedness. Every act of kind- 
ness will be recounted hereafter. The blessing 
of him who was ready to perish, will then come 
upon us. And every office of humanity, every 
attempt to do good, every benevolent wish, will 
receive an ample reward at the resurrection of 
the just." 



APPENDIX' 



ODES 

WRITTEN FOR. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 

MERRIMACK HUMANE SOCIETY, 



ODE— for 1811. 

WERE no afflictive moments here 

Should joys eternal flow, 
What heart would feel the blissful tear 

That falls for human woe ? 

As some soft stream 'neath moonlight skies 

Reflected light bestows, 
So from that heart shall joy arise 

That pities while it flows. 

Scarce through life's measur'd span we find 

A day that passes by, 
But leaves some aching- thought behind 

Or wakes some anxious sigh. 

Hark from that wild o'erwhelming wave^ 
A dying voice implores to save, 
For aid a wretched father flies, 
But ah ! too late — the victim dies! 

See stretch'd upon the barren shore, 
All that was lov'd in youthful hour ; 
A father's pride, a mother's boast, 
In one unguarded moment lost. 

Behold ! a mother's frantic woes, 
Her's the full tear of sorrow flows ; 
What power can heal the rage of grief, 
To wounded bosoms give relief? 

Lo from yon azure realms above 
Descending on the wings of love, 
HUMANITY with angel mien, 
Lights on the sad and sorrowing scene. 

Before her genial presence fly 
The falling tear, the pitying sigh ; 
Life, love and joy attend her train, 
And hope the soother of each pain. 

With eye uplifted to her bright abode 
She asks the succour of her parent God; 
Fours in the flaccid lungs her vital breath 
And bids the dying wake from death. 



26 

Again the dying victim lives, 
Life opens on his wondering view. 

And a fond father's heart receives 
The child that to his heart was true- 

O ! who can tell what light of joy, 
Illurn'd that dark and doleful day ; 

O ! who but loves the bright employ. 
To chase such clouds of grief away. 

Come sound aloud the notes of praise, 
To heav'n a grateful tribute raise ; 
HUMANITY demands the song, 
To her our tuneful hearts belong. 
O let us then in concert rise, 
And waft her to her native skies. 



ODE— FOR 1812. 



THOUGH Greece her arts and lore may boast, 
And loudly though Fame's clarion swell 
The glories of the Roman host, 
To distant, wondering times, to tell. 

Yet louder shall her voice arise 
Through every clime to sound the praise 
Of that fair daughter of the skies 
Vvfho deigns to bless these modern days. 

>Tis in the age which Christ has blest 
With the kind beams of heavenly light, 
Humanity has found a rest, 
And in her cause her sons unite. 

*'The hidden springs of Life t'explore/* 
By honoured Science's skilful art 
To bear in safety to our shore 
The sailor of the generous heart. 

We join— and that due meed to give * 
To him whom guardian angels own 
Who, that another, life receive, 
Has nobly hazarded his own. 

Yet 'tis not love of fame that fires 
His zeal to lessen human woes, 
Not this alone his deed inspires— 
His breast a higher motive knows : 

For blessed name of Christ, 'tis thine 
To bid our selfish passions die ; 
By powerful influence divine, 
Thou cherisbest Humanity. 

But still thy grace does not remove 
From him whose 6ouPs resign'd to thqe i 
Of honest fame the ardent love — 
The fame that crowns Humanity. 

Then will we bid the laurel wave 
O'er hoary age and manhood's head* 



Who rescued from a watery grave, 

And saved those numbered with the dead. 

While the tear trembles on the cheek, 
And big emotions swell the breast, 
Their names we fondly love to speak, 
And pray that they by heaven be blest : 

As from the grave they bade arise 
Those whom its power could not destroy j 
So may they one day reach the skies, 
RaisM from the tomb to endless joy. 



* Alluding to two remarkable instances of preservation from drowning, in 
one of which, a distinguished Member of the Society, at the advanced age 
of 76 leaped into the water and saved a lad of nine years of age. 



The following directions for recovering persons, supposed to be dead 
from drowning, &c. were published by the Humane Society of 
Philadelphia, 1805, and recommended by this Society in 1806. 



DIRECTIONS 

FOR RECOVERING PERSONS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD 
FROM DROWNING. 

1. AS soon as the body is taken out of the water, it must be 
conveyed on a board or bier, if at hand, to a house, or any other 
place, where it can be laid dry and warm, avoiding the usual des- 
tructive methods of hanging it by the heels, rolling it on a 

BARREL, Or PLACING IT ACROSS A LOG ON THE BELLY. 

2. The clothes must be immediately stripped off, and the bo- 
dy wrapped up in blankets, well warmed. It should be laid on its 
back, with the head a little raised. If the weather be cold, it should 
he placed near a fire, and an heated warming pan should be passed 
over the body ; but in warm weather it will be sufficient to place it 
between two blankets, well heated, or in the sunshine, taking care 
to prevent the room from being crowded, with any persons who are 
not necessarily employed about the body. 

3. At the same time, the whole body should be rubbed with 
the hand, or with hot woolen cloths. The rubbing should be mod- 
erate, but continued with industry, and particularly about the breast. 
Apply also heated bricks to the feet, belly and breast. The imme- 
diate application of frictions is of the utmost importance, as many- 
have been recovered by frictions only, when early used. 

4. As soon as it can possibly be done, a bellows should be ap- 
plied to one nostril, while the other nostril and the mouth are kept 



.28 

closed, and the lower end of the prominent part of the windpipe (or 
that part which is called by the anatomists, pomum ad ami) is press- 
ed backward. The bellows is to be worked in, this skuation ; and 
when the breast is swelled by it, the bellows should stop, and an 
assistant should press the belly upwards, to force the air out. The 
bellows should then be applied as before, and the belly again be 
pressed ; this process should be repeated from twenty to thirty 
times in a minute, so as to imitate natural bieathmg as nearly as 
possible. Some volatile spirits, heated, may be held under the 
valve of the bellows whilst it works. If a bellows cannot be pro- 
cured, some person should blow into one of the nostrils u rough a 
pipe or quill, whilst the other nostril and mouth are closed as be- 
fore ; or if a pipe or quill be not at hand, he should blow into the 
mouth, whilst both nostrils are closed ; but whenever a bellows can 
be procured, it is to be preferred. as air forced in by these mens, 
will be much more serviceable than air which has already been 
breathed. 

5. During this time, a large quantity of ashes, water, salt or 
sand should be heated ; and as soon as it is milk-warm, the body 
must be placed in it ; the blowing and rubbing are then to be con- 
tinued as before ; and when the water, ashes, or salt are cooled, 
some warmer must be added, so that the whole may be kept milk- 
warm. 

Loud noises have sometimes proved successful in recovering 
such persons and restoring to life.-— When signs of returning life are 
apparent, the iiictions must be continued, but more gently. 

These methods must be continued three or four hours, as in 
several instances they have proved successful, although no signs of 
life appeared until that time. When the patient is able to swallow, 
he must take some wine, brandy, or rum and wate'\— -Bleeding cr 
purging ought not to be used, without consulting a physician, who 
should be called in as soon as possible : but clysters of salt and wa- 
fcer may be injected. 

Afterlife has returned, if convulsions come on, blood should 
be taken, by direction of a physician. 

The dangerous effects of noxious vapors, from Wells, Cellars, ferment- 
ing liquors^ &c. may be prevented, 

By procuring a free circulation of air, either by ventilators or o-? 
pening the doors or windows, where it is confined, or by changing 
the air, by keeping fires in the infected place, or by throwing in 
stone-lime recently powdered. 

These precautions should be taken before entering into such 
suspected places ; or a lighted candle should be first introduced, 
which will go out if the air is bad. When a person is let down into 
a well, he should be carefully watched, and drawn up again on the 
least change. But when a person is apparently dead from the above 



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